Keith Floyd

Keith Floyd (28 December 1943 – 14 September 2009) was a pioneering British chef and television personality who hosted numerous cooking shows for the BBC and published many books combining cookery and travel.

Early Life

Floyd was born in Reading, Berkshire, and educated at Wellington School, Somerset. He became a journalist and then a cook, opening his first restaurant, Floyd's Bistro, in Bristol in 1969.

Career

Floyd's television career began in 1984 with the broadcast of Floyd on Fish, an innovative cookery program where he introduced the concept of cooking on location. This was followed by numerous other series, including Floyd on France, Floyd's American Pie, and Floyd Around the Mediterranean.

Floyd was known for his distinctive style, often cooking while enjoying a glass of wine, and his shows were a mix of cookery and travelogue. He was also a prolific author, publishing many books that accompanied his television series as well as standalone cookery books.

Personal Life and Death

Floyd was married four times and had one daughter. He died of a heart attack on 14 September 2009 in Dorset, England.

Legacy

Floyd's approach to television cookery has been widely imitated, and he is considered a pioneer of the genre. His influence can be seen in the work of later chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay.

See Also

• List of British chefs
• History of British television

External Links

• Keith Floyd at BBC Food